07.2023 Koppel Project London Johann Don-Daniel and Heinie MArie King

Parallel Play is an experimental dialogue between Heini Marie King and Johann Don-Daniel, exploring the interplay of sound and mark-making as a form of communication. Using microphones and speakers, we amplify the sonic textures of our gestures, allowing the audio narrative to intertwine with the visual. These amplified sounds, derived from the act of making marks, form a crucial layer of the performance, heightening the sense of interaction and creating a dynamic exchange of signals. The work unfolds on Chinese letter paper, a medium chosen for its historical and political significance as a vehicle for conveying messages. Combined with rabbit glue—a traditional adhesive steeped in craft history—these materials reflect a commitment to exploring cultural and historical layers within the process. They evoke the act of writing, recording, and archiving as a form of dialogue, while also nodding to the tensions and connections between tradition and experimentation. Through the interplay of sound, vision, and material, Parallel Play creates what can appear to be a coded performance—a subtle conversation that invites interpretation and reveals the nuances of interaction. The process borrows its name from developmental psychology, describing a stage where children play side-by-side without overt interaction. This concept resonates with our approach, where individual actions coexist yet influence one another, forming an intricate, layered narrative.